FORMATION OF SEKONDI BRANCH – 1960
In 1960, this group, named the Methodist Ladies Association, was inaugurated with Rev. Dr. F.C.F. Grant officiating. The group’s uniform was in the colours, green and white and their slogan was “Beloved, Let us Love”. Some of the foundation members of the Sekondi Ladies Association included Mrs. Serah Abaka, Mrs. Acquah Harrison, Mrs. Mary Acquah, Mrs. Serah Prah, Mrs Serah Sam, Mrs Dinah Blay, Mrs. Yakaba Ashun and Mrs. Elizabeth Riverson, Snr. and others.”

Formation of Adabraka branch – 1970
During the Methodist annual Conference of 1969 at Sunyani and Sekondi Ladies Association performed so well that Rev. Ebenezer Allotey Pappoe, then the Superintendent Minister of the Adabraka Circuit decided to form Ladies Association at Adabraka. After many consultations and with the help of Sekondi, Ladies Association was inaugurated at Ernest Bruce Memorial Methodist Church, Adabraka on Sunday, 15th March, 1970. The then president of Conference Rev. Wallace Koomson officiated assisted by Rev. Ebenezer Allotey-Pappoe. The first President of the Adabraka Ladies Association was Mrs. Grace Marte-Korle and the 1st Secretary, was Mrs. Mercy Busia. The uniform was mauve and white, the slogan was “ Beloved, Let us Love”. The aims and objectives, based on those of Sekondi were as follows:
o To clean and decorate chapels
o To provide service during church refreshments, lunches and dinners
o To engage in charity works by visiting hospitals, children’s homes and prisons.
o To promote the advancement of women by teaching them skills for self employment.

MRS. GRACE AYENSU RESCUES SEKONDI LADIES ASSOCIATION – 1964
In 1964, Mrs. Grace Ayensu a very dynamic woman of the Sekondi Wesley Church was invited to revive the Sekondi Ladies Association which had then started. Unfortunately, Mrs. Ayensu died suddenly in a motor accident in 1975.
She will be forever be remembered for saving the Sekondi Ladies Association from dying. She was succeeded by Mrs. Sophia Baisie who also died in 1994 after occupying the position of the Connexional Vice President in the pre-recognition years. Mrs. Baisie was succeeded by Mrs. Charlotte Harrison Foli who became the Connexional Vice Presidnet from the time of Mrs. Baisie’s death between 1994 to 2000.

MRS. AGNES AFRIYIE- AMANKWAH FORMATION OF KUMASI BRANCH – 1974
As providence would have it, a similar group was formed in Kumasi in 1974 under the leadership of Mrs. Agnes Afriyie Amankwah. She was supported in her work by able church leaders such as Rev. and Mrs. Apatu, and Mrs. Hannah Agyemang. On Sunday 16th December, 1982 the Kumasi group was inaugurated at Wesley Methodist Church with 30 members. The officiating minister was Rev. Kweku Abaka. The uniform colours were mauve and white and their slogan was “Serve the Lord to the end”. The aims and objectives were very similar to those of Sekondi and Adabraka but with slight variations. It is worth mentioning that the formation of the association in Kumasi with similar aims and objectives was a wonder of God for indeed Mrs. Afriyie Amankwah had always said officially that prior to 1974, she never knew of the existence of a similar association in Sekondi until she was duly informed by Mrs. Hannah Agyemang.

THE MINI NATIONAL DELEGATES CONFERENCE 1986 IN KUMASI 
When Mrs. Agnes Afriyie Amankwah, heard of a similar formation in Sekondi, she contacted and commenced collaboration towards the establishment of a united front. At her instance two meetings at Sekondi and Adabraka. At the end of this great Kumasi meeting in 1986 the following were agreed upon:
1. The aims and objectives, being very similar must be maintained but with the following additions:
a. To help the uneducated to learn and write.
b. To promote a better understanding and appreciation of the dignity in serving God.
c. To arouse greater interest in the younger women of the church I the Christian religion.
2. The name “ The Methodist Ladies Association” was maintained.
3. The colours mauve and white were adopted.
4. The slogan ‘Beloved, let us love’ was adopted
After this’ “ Mini National Delegates Conference in Kumasi each party felt better equipped to serve the church and to help each other guided by the agreed aims and objectives.” The association grew very well especially in the Kumasi District under the leadership of Mrs. Agnes Afriyie Amankwah with the support of personalities such as Rev. Dr. Samuel Asante-Antwi, Rev. Asamoah Thompson ( who called the Ladies Association, “Paul a wamba ntem”. Rev. Major E. C. Bonney and Rt. Rev. Richard Asuah Sekyere, Very rev. Dr. Emmanuel Asante, Rt. Reverend Albert Ofoe Wright and others).

THE LEADER OF LEADERS – MRS. AGNES AFRIYIE AMANKWAH.
By the mid 1980’s there were three leaders at work in the Ladies Association countrywide. There was Mrs. Agnes Afriyie Amankwah in Kumasi spreading fast into Mampong and Sunyani.
There was Mrs. Sophia Baisie in Sekondi and Mrs. Mary Okraku who led the Ladies Association at Adabraka, Accra. Under their leadership the Association made quite a great impact in the church. As work progressed it became obvious that a ‘leader’ was emerging and this was Mrs. Agnes Afriyie Amankwah. At her own expense she travelled from branch to branch explaining the adopted aims and objectives, advising members to exhibit good conduct, unity of purpose and to live our slogan which was “Beloved, Let us love”. Members in unison admired Mrs. Afriyie’s initiative and naturally accepted her leadership. A leader had emerged from among the Leaders.

THE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE OF SUSANNA WESLEY MISSION AUXILIARY
Although all seemed to be going well with the Association there was one big setback ad that was the Ladies Association, despite its years of service to the church had not been officially recognized by Conference. This was a great source of worry especially for those members who knew what conference recognition meant. The Lord had laid it on the heart of Mrs. Agnes AFRIYIE Amankwah to work assiduously for thhe recognition of the ladies Association. She made a number of petitions to various conferences without success. Meanwhile, membership in the various societies starred dwindling as some could not bear the rising opposition and taunting from non-members and even from some Ministers of the church. There were only a few supporters; even then most of them, could show their support only from behind the scenes. It was a real wilderness experience. It soon became clear that the name ‘Ladies Association’ was one of the deterring factors for the questions on the lips of many were “Are members of the Ladies Association the only ladies in the Methodist Church? Aren’t thee “Ladies” in the women Fellowship, Christ Little Band, The Methodist GUILD?
At the inauguration of the Methodist Women’s Desk (now Division) and now Gender and Family Issues Directorate at Legon in January, 1988 the then president of Conference, Most Rev. Dr. Jacob Adama Stephen proposed that the name of the Ladies Association be changed to “Susanna Wesley Mission Auxiliary”. Many thought the name was long and such a mouthful, but nonetheless was accepted with relief by both the lay and clergy. By this action the image of the association was changed for better as branch after branch changed the name some with very impressive ceremonies. Asked by Rev. Major E.C. Bonney why he proposed such a long name for the association Rev. Dr. Stevens explained as follows:
a. The Name “Susanna” because this lady was the mother of two very dynamic Ministers of the Methodist Church, John and Charles Wesley. Her role as Mother of Methodism must be recognized. She had been ignored for far too long.
b. Mission Rev. Dr. Stevens chose the word “mission” because he had the vision of the organization moving into serious evangelism to win souls for Christ.

RECOGNITION BY CONFERENCE – MRS. AGNES AFRIYIE-AMANKWAH, AUGUST 1994
With the change of name the atmosphere became a little more relaxed but it mean stated that the change did not immediately result in acceptance by church meaning or recognition of conference as some still did not understand why the previous was adopted in the first place. The word “Ladies” continued to echo and re-ec their ears. As such Mrs. Agnes Afriyie Amankwah even after change of name fought a few losing battles at Conference trying to achieve recognition. Finally day of salvation came, and in August 1994 Susanna Wesley Mission Auxiliary was recognized by Methodist Conference in Kumasi.

Mrs. Agnes Afriyie Amankwah had achieved her aim and will be forever remembered in her role of leading Susanna Wesley out of Egypt”, through the wilderness, across the Jordan into Canaan. Her brilliance, tact, bravery and fortitude earned her the nickname “Yaa Asantewa” a name she well deserved. Unfortunately, Mrs Afriyie Amankwa died in London on 11th Deember, 2002 and serving SUWMA for 26 years. Five months before her death she had finished her Connexional President of SUWMA. The Connexional Vice President was Mrs. Phyllis Ashilfie.

NATIONAL CLOTH IN HONOUR OF SUWMA’S FOUNDING MOTHERS
During the life time of Mrs. Afriyie Amankwah the entire membership of SUWMA felt the need to print a National Cloth bearing the images of Mrs. Susanna Wesley, Mrs. Grace Ayensu and Mrs. Agnes Afriyie Amankwah. The aim was to give due honour to the founding mothers. Grace and Agnes and to the Mother of Methodism Susanna. Unfortunately, work on the cloth was completed after Mrs. Afriyie Amankwah had passed away. The cloth was nonetheless outdoored and tributes were paid to these 3 great women during a grand ceremony held at Accra Wesley Cathedral. The day was Sunday 1st April, 2001.

SUWMA UNDER THE SECONG CONNEXIONAL EXECUTIVE
The second Connexional Executive under the leadership of Mrs. Marian Ashong-Katai continued the policy of advancement in membership growth and in corporate image of SUWMA. Thus the second National Executive strived to put in place those elements that would identify SUWMA as a truly recognized organization within the Church. In place was SUWMA badges, handbooks, for meetings, play books on Susanna’s life, and reviewed the SUWMA bye-laws. JNR. SUWMA was relaunched and SUWMA was established in Great Britain, the first Ghanaian Church organization to be inaugurated in the Methodist Church of Britain. Thanks for the support of Most Rev. Dr. Samuel Asante Antwi and Rev. Emmanuel Aggrey Ogoe.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT – MOST REV. DR & MRS. SAMUEL ASANTE ANTWI
The history of SUWMA would not be complete without a special mention of the tremendous role played by the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church and his wife. The Presiding Bishop would seize every opportunity to remind both the clergy and the laity that Conference had given recognition to SUWMA and should therefore be allowed to open branches in the various societies. Sometimes, he was so concerned that he left irritated by those who continuously refused to comply with this Conference decision. Fortunately, most societies have opened their doors to SUWMA and many more will follow their good example.

SUWMA TODAY
By the Grace of God SUWMA is growing from strength to strength proving herself a very useful arm of the body of Christ. The organization is still fighting little battles even though we are in the “promised land” for there are more “lands to occupy”. We pray to God that as time goes on the Clergy and Lay will understand that unlike the biblical occupation of the land in Canaan, SUWMA is only seeking to peacefully co-exist with the people already existing in the land not to supercede or exterminate them from the land.

MEMBERSHIP
Over the past months, membership in SUWMA has been screened so as to make for realistic allocation of assessments. Total membership at the time of writing this history excluding the aged and inactive members, stands well above seven thousand. We have branches in all 16 Dioceses, namely Sekondi, Tarkwa, Accra, Tema, Winneba, Kumasi, Effiduase, Sunyani, Obuasi, Kofordua, Tamale, Cape Coast, Wenchi, Somanya, Sefwi Bekwai and Akim Oda. Meanwhile, the expansion continues.

In order to celebrate our founding mothers and to commemorate their gains, the administration of Connexional SUWMA led by Sis. Julie Ben-Eghan planned the year long celebration of the 20th Anniversary since the recognition of SUWMA in August 1994 with an anniversary launch at the Methodist Retreat Centre at Kwadaso on 8th March, 2014. The Guest speaker was the Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Kwaku Asante, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Conference. Other activities included an anniversary breakfast meeting at which the “Grace Ayensu Music Chorale” (A singing group of SUWMA members who are choristers), officially outdoored their new robes. The theme for Breakfast Meeting was “ Thee will I praise” Ps. 108.3 held on Sat. July 26th at Rev. Thomas Clegg Memorial Meth. Church. There was an anniversary Lecture delivered by the Most Rev. Dr. Asante Antwi with the theme: “SUWMA: A Legacy to the Methodist Church” on 15th August 2014 and a thanksgiving Service held at the Wesley Cathedral in Sunyani. The Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel K. Asante preached the sermon.

Connexional Patrons of the organization were officially recognized and inducted at a very colourful ceremony at the Breakfast Meeting, Diocesan Chaplains of SUWMA from all over the Connexion were also inducted into office by the Rt. Rev. Albert Okoe Wright, Bishop of Somanya. To GOD be the Glory! Great things He has done.

Beloved, Let Us Love!